33 



drainage and freedom from acidity, and well stocked with phosphates 

 and potash, clovers have failed to grow, and he has never observed 

 clover plants in any locality and failed to find abundance of nodules 

 on their roots. It is, however, of course a possibility that there may 

 be localities where it will pay to inoculate the soil designed for clover 

 with suitable bacteria. This inoculation may be carried out in either 

 of two ways. First, soil from a locality where clover thrives and where 

 the nodules are known to be abmulant may be scattered over the field 

 where the clover is to be sown and immediately harrowed in. Five or 

 six hundred pounds of such soil per acre will be sufficient. Second, a 

 culture of the proper si)ecies of bacteria may be used in accordance 

 with directions which will be furnished with it. Such cultures may 

 now be procured either from the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture in Washington, or from private dealers. These cultures are 

 known by the name of nitro-cultures, but as each species of the clover 

 family must have its own species of bacteria, it is necessary in ordering 

 to name the plant for which the nitro-culture is needed as well as the 

 area. 



The United States Department of Agriculture first sent out cultures 

 in dry form, in small packages containing tlried cotton and chemicals 

 to be dissolved in the water in which the cultures were to be started. 

 In very many cases the use of these cultures resulted in absolute fail- 

 ure. The desiccation to which the bacteria had been subjected appeared 

 to have destroyed their vitality. So far as the writer knows, all private 

 companies which are now offering commercial nitro-cultures prepare 

 them in accordance with the system first used by the government, and 

 the presumption is that in many cases these cultures will be found 

 valueless, and for the reason above indicated. The United States gov- 

 ermnent at the present time is preparing cultures in semi-fluid form. 

 These are sent out in sealed glass vials. They have not been sufficiently 

 tried to warrant an expression of opinion concerning their value, but 

 the method, at least judged from a scientific point of view, appears 

 better calculated to yield successful results than the earlier method. 



It has been urgecl that the bacteria sent out in culture form are 

 setected and especially vigorous forms, and that accordingly, even in 

 cases where the soils contain the right species of bacteria, the clover 

 crop may be increased, or may be enabled to di-aw nitrogen in larger 

 ciuantity from the air through suitable inoculation with these improved 

 cultures. It does not appear to the writer that this point has been as 

 yet proved, and in conclusion lie would go on record as most emphati- 

 cally advising against the use of cultures for clover, unless, indeed, it is 

 found on ex|)eriment that clovers do not develop in any given locality 

 the characteristic nodules. 



Fertilizers for Clovers. 



In considering this tojjic we shall do well to consider separately 

 clovers grown in rotation with other crops and clovers in permanent 

 mowings. 



For Clovers in Hotntion. 



Where clovers are grown in rotation with other crops they will occupy 

 the land at most but two or three yc^ars. In such cases practically all 

 manure or fertilizer used will Ik- applied i)revious to .seeding. On most 

 farms wIkm'c stock is kept manure in larg(>r or smaller ([uantity will be 

 used for the crops which precede the clovers. It has been pointed out 

 that it is a mistake to use manure t(»o freely for the crops which precede 



